Presents
Ah, Paradise!
Dec 28th
I woke up this morning to the sound of palm fronds rustling in the breeze and a view of the blue Pacific just beyond the red-tile roofs and white stucco of our resort complex. To think that less than 24 hours ago I was gazing upon slush-clogged streets and low, gray clouds! We arrived last night here after dark, and a chill wind was blowing at the time, so to wake up to this summery view and 60-degree temperatures makes it seem even more as if I have been dropped into some wonderful dream.
We are staying at the La Paloma Tennis Club and Resort complex where our time-share vacation plan has a number of condos. Located in Rosarito in northern Baja California, it is about 25 miles south of the U.S.-Mexico border. While certainly not as trendy as Cabo San Lucas and likely not quite as warm, this place is a heavenly oasis after the past year of hustle and bustle I’ve experienced. We have several pools and hot tubs to choose from, tennis courts, sauna, spa facilities, FREE WiFi in our apartment, a gym and beautifully landscaped grounds. For me, though, the best thing about this place is our west-facing balcony, giving me a quiet, sheltered, sunny spot from which to gaze out on the ocean and read (or not). Shortly, I will be watching the sun set and enjoying the fact that I don’t have to do anything or be anywhere by any particular time–for a whole week.
I have decided that I will not even consider any New Year’s resolutions until after we return north next weekend. In the meantime, I have made a few vacation resolutions: I will not put on make-up unless we go out to dinner (or unless my husband or daughter refuse to be seen with me, but they’re not likely to make a fuss–if they know what’s good for them!); I will read at least two books (GT‘s editor in chief Lisa Matte and associate editor Jan Hecht gave me some great recommendations which found their way onto my Christmas list and under the tree); I will eat whatever I want whenever I want without thinking (too much) about the consequences; I will try to learn and use at least three new Spanish words or phrases a day; and beyond booking a massage and a facial, I will not schedule my days with places to go or things to do, but I will definitely, maybe, get out and do something each day–if I feel like it.
Now excuse me, but the sunset is not going to wait.
Patty Vanikiotis, proofreader
2009, Here We Come!
Dec 26th
After weeks of preparations and celebrations, Christmas has come and gone — quicker than the time left to prepare flew by, the day itself was over and done with in a flash. Yesterday, we had a small Christmas at home, opening presents in the morning, followed by Christmas morning breakfast. After breakfast, we started a competitive game of Rummy 500 — which later turned dirty as my poor sportsmanship kicked in — at least I can admit I am a sore loser after the fact. Late afternoon, I ventured over to spend some time with my boyfriend’s family, followed by dinner back at home and the conclusion of the Rummy game gone wrong.
The day got me thinking about past Christmases. Christmas Eve pajamas were always my favorite tradition, one that still continues today (or, my mom says, at least until she has grandchildren to buy pajamas). This year, I got red silk pajama pants adorned with ornament, reindeer, star and present designs. Another favorite memory of mine was the year I stayed in my Christmas pajamas all day long and played with all my new board games and toys. Or there was the year, and we have the video to prove it, my mom, grandmother and I sang along to Kokomo by the Beach Boys using my new tape and new toy microphones. Or the year my dad got me, my mom and grandmother matching pajamas! And, whenever my family and extended family get together for holiday celebrations, we always bust out games — cards and other board games. Among some of the favorites - Guesstures, Catch Phrase and other high-speed guessing games.
And, before you know it, it is all over. Soon, the decorations come down, the new gifts get put away and life returns to normal. No more holiday songs on the radio or decorations in shopping centers. Luckily, the holiday season brings great joy during those few festive weeks. I have a tradition of my own — I don’t like to use any of my new presents until after the new year. I like to savor the newness of them and keep them under the tree. New year, new gifts — just one of my quirks. Although this year, I did use my new Blackberry Storm, but I had to, ’cause it is going to take me weeks to figure out this new technology.
Now, off to 2009 and new adventures. Time to start thinking about all those pesky resolutions!
-Kimberly Krol, eFlyer editor, circulation and public relations executive
Holiday Customer Service
Dec 19th
I am not usually an online shopper. When I decide I want something, I just get in my car, drive to the store and go get it, but this holiday season, I found myself pretty busy without much time to get out to the stores and shop, so I ordered quite a few gifts (and some new winter wardrobe items for myself, I must admit!) online this year. With the hustle and bustle of the holidays, I would have understood customer service representatives being cranky and short, but I was pleasantly surprised to encounter exceptional customer service this year.
The service was so above and beyond, I felt compelled to write about it! I ordered a few presents from Coach this year. I needed one of the gifts to arrive by a specified date, and when I ordered online, all points indicated it would arrive when needed. Well, of course, as the date crept closer, all signs indicated it was going to be delivered the day after I needed it. After numerous calls to Coach and FedEx, I finally got in touch with a Coach representative who offered to send another item out overnight, so I would be certain to receive the gift by the needed date. She told me to refuse the other shipment or call her back if it got delivered. Then, naturally, both of the packages arrived at my house on the same day. When I called back to ask her for return instructions, she told me to keep it, compliments of Coach, for my troubles! I was shocked. That customer service basically guaranteed I would be a return customer.
I ordered some clothes from Gap, and when they arrived, I realized I had to return a pair of pants. I was pleased to find that I could log onto their Web site and print UPS return labels free of charge. UPS was helpful also as they told me if I saw a driver on the street, I could just hand him the box and he would send it back without charging me a pick-up fee. Conveniently, I had the box with me when UPS delivered 40 boxes to our office!
Of course, it couldn’t all be pleasant. I saw an infomercial for Snuggie, a blanket that is worn like a sweater. Don’t laugh, but I thought it would be the perfect gift for my grandmother, who is always cold. Plus, they were offering 2 for 1! It was good, quirky and inexpensive — the perfect supplement to her other gifts. I ordered them online and realized I had accidentally ordered four instead of two. When I called their customer service, they told me I had to wait 48-72 hours before they could help me. Over the next few days, I tried numerous times and it was always busy. I finally got through to someone who told me he still couldn’t access my order, couldn’t even cancel it, for another 48 hours. More days waiting, more calls met with the busy signal. Finally, I got through, they could find my order and I was able to cancel it. At this point, I was so fed up, I didn’t want to deal with them. Plus, they couldn’t guarantee delivery until February! When I asked for an email confirmation of my cancellation, I was told they don’t do anything by email because it is more efficient to mail something. I am still waiting for the cancellation invoice to arrive in my mailbox. Something tells me Snuggie has a long way to go in the customer service department. I ordered the Slanket from QVC and it arrived three days later!
Luckily, my experiences this year have left me in the holiday spirit! My good experiences have far outweighed the aggravation of the bad experience, and I am looking forward to a cheery holiday. And, judging by what I see out of the office window, it will be a white Christmas.
-Kimberly Krol, eFlyer editor, circulation and public relations executive
Christmas Cookies
Dec 12th
Today is the Global Traveler holiday party. Alex and Courtney have traveled in from New York and the rest of the staff will celebrate with us in spirit. For me, the party is the first of many of the holiday season and the kick-off to gift giving. Shopping for my Secret Santa gift was my motivation to start the rest of my holiday shopping, but I still have some gifts to buy. When I was little, my mom’s Christmas cookies always meant the holiday season was upon us.
My mom went cookie crazy for the holidays. Courtney’s blog yesterday brought the smells of freshly-baked cookies wafting past my nose because we always gave homemade cookies as presents to teachers and friends. There would be 12-15 different types of cookies and dozens and dozens of them everywhere each holiday season. The mixer and oven would be going all night and on the weekends. I would always help my mom decorate with sprinkles and little silver balls, and I always insisted she make my favorites, spritzers.
Spritzers (I am not sure if that is the technical name!) are small butter cookies made using a cookie gun. The dough would shoot out in different shapes – Christmas trees, snowflakes, circles. They are perfect bite-size cookies – absolutely delicious! I have tried spritzers made by other people, but my mom’s remain the very best.
Giving the cookies as gifts or as supplements to gifts was always a big hit! My mom would buy cute, decorative tins and baskets and adorn them with ribbons, candies and chocolate-covered pretzels. People looked forward to my mom’s cookies just as eagerly as I did. Instead of visions of sugar plums dancing through my head, I had visions of chocolate chip cookies! The smell of cookies baking means Christmas to me more than anything, even the smell of fresh pine needles.
-Kimberly Krol, eFlyer editor, circulation and public relations executive
